National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1887-07-05


An Organization which Proposes to
Fan Into Flame the Expiring Fires
of Patriotism.
Our 111th national birthday was cele
brated yesterday, and, with the two excep-
lions OF tho Oldest Inhabitants Society
with It's veneration for the traditions of the
past and the irrepressibly noisy small boy
with his Internal citation at fair excuse for
burning powder, the day was unmarked.
Much speculation has been INDUCED In
by patriotic citizens as to the cause Of this
apparent decay in the observance Of the
historic Fourth, as well as lack Of interest
In other days hallowed by the memories of
revolutionary times. Nor has this been
noticeable alone in this the capital city OF
the republic, for from all over the country
come similar reports, though perhaps to not
the same extent as here. From Philadel-
phia come tidings that a great news
paper had to snatch the day from
obscurity by raising n fund for the
proper celebration thereof. 1t has
been said that this unfortunate condition Of
affairs was the result Of the overshadowing
influence Of the events OF the late war.
the periodically inclined that II some means
were not employed to better commemorate
the events OF our national life and periodi-
cally recall historical facts the coming gen.
erations would regard them as dead Issues,
and in time the observance OF such days
would altogether lapse, as IL by common
consent.
Fearful Of this result, in the early part of
1883 a number Of prominent gentlemen In
the city Of New York conceived the idea
OF forming society which would foster these
sacred memories-a national organization
for educational purposes in knowledge Of
the government OF the United States, of
Its constitution, and of Its rights Of citizen
ship.
This project was put into execution
on the 10th day of January, 1888, by
the formation OF an association known
as the National Provident Union,
which was incorporated on the date men
toned according to the laws Of the state of
New York, and at a subsequent meeting the
following declaration Of principles and pur-
poses was adopted:
We, citizens Of the United States of America,
recognizing the important and continuous OBJ
legation we are under in the time OF health
and prosperity TO provide in suitable aud
honorable manner for the welfare and support
OF those whose natural protectors we are; and
desiring 10 secure to ourselves peace and COM
fort of mind concerning their future welfare,
so far as II lies In our power; and also In n
for ourselves and others in event OF Necessity,
Sstlens sI'0Y froSIdent G t 'i The Objects
members the benefit of a provident fund. to be
applied TO the relief of their widows, orphans,
and other dependents, according to the pro-
visions Of the constitution and laws. To unite
its citizens In a fraternal union for mutual i'm
| provement in the knowledge OF the govern.
mtnt Of the United States, rs constitution, aud
rant. develop the knowledge Of the iniorSed,
apd to secure to each OF its citizens the best re-
| salts from familiarity with the principles Of
To the spirit Of charity
those virtues which constitute the noblesi
manhood.
Its government was vested in National
Union, provident states, and councils, with
legislative, executive, and judicial branches,
and psrallels-as nearly as can be consistent
with economy-the government OF the
United States.
| In order to obtain an element Of cohesion
even greater than patriotic motives and the
| usual social features, It was determined to
combine with these laudable purposes q
system Of cheap and certain life insurance,
which they do by the issuance OF an insur-
ance In the shape Of bonds Of denomina,
partment has become quite popular.
The union at once sprang into popularity
and councils were rapidly organized. Tue
membership comprises some Of the most
prominent citizens In state and national az
fairs In New York, New Jersey, Pennsyl
vania, and Connecticut, and at the begin
ming of the present year there were up
ward Of fifty councils In operation IN those
states, with membership exceeding 1000.
April 80 of this year (the original inaugu-
alton day being thus preserved) the follow
Ing executive officers were elected for the
ensuing four years, and 1t will bs seen at 0
glance that the gentlemen chosen to guido
the organization are of national proml-
| nence:
President, Edward o. Bragdon, New
York; vice president, DR.. Roland e. Curtin
Philadelphia, Pa; enthusiastically o.
state, Joseph l.. Killgore, BROOKLYN, N. Y;
secretary Of treasury, w. II. DeHart, New
Jersey; surgeon general, DR.. John Q. Les
ter, Brooklyn; attorney general, Ira d
Warren, New York; auditor general, JohI
f. Heart, New York; committee OIL
flnance-John M. Davis, Jersey City, n. j.
Charles W. Cowtan, BROOKLYN, and L. A
Dickerson, ex- postmaster of Hartford, Conn
The seal Of the union is a patriotic en-
blem, printed In the national colors The
original thirteen states are symbolized IL
the seal by thirteen points inclosing cir
Gle containing thirteen stars aud bearing
the legend, "Prudens Futuri," which
legend contains thirteen letters las does ~
Pluribus Unum," the national legend)
representing American acknowledgement
tional however placed. Over the whole 4
the notto-"Our Homes and Our Coun
try"
No special effort was made until latel,
to extend the union, when an inquiry from
this city resulted in preliminary meeting
at Grand Army Hall on the 24th ultimo, a
| mi Al al N ad fha oh,
iects and aims s q the order. 'A' Col SS
Daniel a. Grosvenor, commandant O
Burnside Post, G. A. R., presided
Tested, and It was determined to or
ganize council In this city. Among thos,
attending and aiding in the organization
are the. following gentlemen, which will
union: Col. N. M. Brooks, Mai. A. II. e
Richardson, Maj. Frank A. Butts, Gen
joseph Dickinson, Maj. George l. Hill
Thomas II. Turnbull, g. G.. NJ. Hustled
John p. Church, DR.. Florence Donohue, s
L. Faunce, Col. L. G. Ford, VIM. Gibson
Maj. ii. l., Crawford, George Bonnet, Capt
John B. Randolph, Col. William T.
Rogers, Charles d.. Cone, Col. Johl
G. 8. Burger, w. s. Odell, DIR. A. G. Adams
S. j. Davenport, Col. r. f. Hawkes., and
number Of others Of equal prominence. TIL
formation Of council was determined
upon, and meeting will be held Monda,
evening, July II, at the National Hotel 70
the purpose OF signing the application 70
charter and preparing for initiation, &c.
A talk with member of the New Yorl
body disclosed the fact that the parable
between the organization is such that evei
the CUES are termed taxes. Thtre are N,
"past" officers In the order from WHOM
alone may be elected members OF congress-
as the representative body is termed, bu
all "citizens" are eligible for these ant
other offices. The union has not gon,